Developing a Model of a Multispecies Biofilm under Microgravity

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Biofilms are problematic in municipal water systems on Earth and have proven to be an obstacle to overcome in space travel. Here we propose to carry out an investigation using microbial isolates that have been cultured from biofilms in the ISS Water Processor Assembly (WPA); such biofilms have clogged the Waste tank solenoid valve and the external filter assembly (EFA).

Benefits

Our objective is to provide a model of biofilm formation under microgravity and contrast this to biofilm formation of a multispecies biofilm under gravity conditions. We will quantify the microgravity effect on the mass transfer rate of limiting nutrients, biomass growth rate, and genomic response. These measured parameters will be fed into an Individual based modeling (IbM) simulation which includes all relevant physical assumptions as part of the algorithm's three main submodels.

Details

Technology area	Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems > Environmental Control and Life Support Systems and Habitation Systems
Program	Center Innovation Fund: KSC CIF (KSC CIF)
Lead organization	Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

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Aubrie O'rourke

How to get involved

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